STS (PRELIM)

• Science and technology have had a significant impact on society and the environment, and vice versa
• Inventions and discoveries throughout history have changed the world
• Scientific and technological developments in the Philippines are discussed
• In Ancient Times, people were concerned with various aspects including transportation, communication, mass production, weapons and armors, engineering, and architecture
• Transportation involved crafting simple boats, walking, riding animals, and later using wheeled vehicles
• Over time, more complex means of transportation were developed, harnessing power sources like wind, steam, and combustion
• Communication methods in Ancient Times included cave paintings, symbols, smoke signals, and carrier pigeons
• Mass production began in the ancient world to address food security and warfare needs
• In the pursuit of power, humans sought advanced weaponry, with the selection of weapons being crucial in battles
• Civil engineering started between 4000 and 2000 BC in Egypt, leading to the development of structures like the Sphinx, Ziggurat of Ur, City of Uruk, and Hanging Gardens of Babylon
• The Sumerian Civilization in ancient Mesopotamia was known for their cooperation and desire for advancements in science and technology
• Sumerians developed the first writing system known as cuneiform, utilizing clay wedge instruments
• The City of Uruk was a significant achievement for the Sumerians, built using mud or clay mixed with reeds to create sunbaked bricks
• The Great Ziggurat of Ur was another architectural feat, constructed with sunbaked bricks and serving as a sacred place for their chief god
• To address the increasing population and food demand, Sumerians created levees and canals for irrigation purposes
• Sumerians used sailboats for transportation through waterways like rivers and seas
• The invention of the wheel by the Sumerians facilitated mass production and easier farm work
• The plow was invented by the Sumerians to dig the ground for planting seeds, enabling faster cultivation of larger parcels of land
• Sumerians developed the first roads to facilitate faster and organized travel
• The Babylonian Civilization near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers excelled in building, engineering, and architecture, with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon being a notable contribution
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built by King Nebuchadnezzar II, were a marvel of gardens with layers of plants and trees, although its exact location remains unknown
• Babylonians established the Code of Hammurabi, a collection of 282 rules that set standards for commercial interactions and justice
• The Egyptian Civilization contributed the paper of papyrus, replacing clay tablets for writing and making transportation of written records easier
• Egyptians invented ink by combining soot with chemicals to produce different colored inks for writing and recording history
• Hieroglyphics, a system of writing using symbols, was developed by the Egyptians and carved on walls of pyramids and structures
• Cosmetics in ancient Egypt served health and aesthetic purposes, with Kohl used around the eyes for medicinal reasons and protection from evil
• Wigs were worn by wealthy Egyptians to protect their shaved heads from the sun and maintain cleanliness
• Water clocks or clepsydras were used by the Egyptians, utilizing gravity for timekeeping
• Hair wigs were considered cleaner than natural hair because they prevented the accumulation of head lice
• Water Clock / Clepsydra:

  • Utilizes gravity to affect the flow of water from one vessel to another
  • The amount of water remaining in the device determines how much time has elapsed since it was full
  • Widely used as a timekeeping device during ancient times
• Greece is an archipelago in southeastern Europe
• Known as the birthplace of western philosophy
• Major achievements include in-depth works on philosophy and mathematics
• Alarm Clock:

  • Invented by ancient Greeks
  • Used large complicated mechanisms with water dropping into drums to sound the alarm
• Water Mill:

  • Considered one of the most important contributions of the Greek civilization
  • Commonly used in agricultural processes like milling of grains
• The start of the Middle Ages was marked by massive invasions and migrations
• Wars were prevalent during this time
• The Roman Empire was perceived as the strongest political and social entity in the west
• Considered the cradle of politics and governance during that period
• Great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry, navigation, mass food and farm production, and health